National Gathering of Graduate Students (NGGS)
The National Gathering of Graduate Students (NGGS) is a national annual gathering that brings together Indigenous graduate students doing research on Indigenous health and well-being. The NGGS is meant to foster belonging and support for Indigenous graduate students, as well as a place for skill and capacity building and knowledge transfer. By learning with and from other graduate students, Indigenous faculty, and allied scholars from across the country, the NGGS is a culturally relevant and scientifically rigorous meeting.
This year, the event is being hosted by the NEIHR National Coordinating Centre in Saskatoon.
Past Gatherings
2021 - Virtual Gathering [June 7-29]
Amidst the ongoing pandemic, the Indigenous Mentorship Network Program Coordinators from across Canada planned another virtual NGGS in 2021, with events taking place throughout June. Recognizing the pandemic has been difficult for our students, the theme was “Nurturing our Whole Selves” and events focused on self-care and relationship building.
2020 - Virtual Gathering [August 12-14]
Following the cancellation of the in-person 2020 NGGS at Western, the regional Indigenous Mentorship Network Program Coordinators co-organized an Online Gathering for students and mentors to connect virtually, share research, and learn from academics through workshops. Over the span of three days, we heard from 27 student presenters (9 IMN-Ontario students), read 6 research posters (4 IMN-Ontario students) and participated in 10 Indigenous mentor workshops.
2020 - Hosted by IMN-Ontario (Western University, London ON)
Our Network was honoured to become the host of the NGGS and while we had planned to invite 70+ participants to London in May, we had to make the difficult decision to cancel our event due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After months of planning a Gathering that would bring together a constellation of some truly beautiful hearts and minds, we were heartbroken to make this decision. Chi-miigwetch to all who poured their time, efforts and love into conceptualizing NGGS 2020, especially our local Host Committee– Katie Big-Canoe, Vanessa Ambtman Smith, Veronica Reitmeier, Emily Beacock, and Amanda Myers.
